Want to build hi quality, super performing Nuendo/Cubase sys

Am lost in the sea of choice and progress in building a new system for my mid-size commercial studio.

Have been offered a HD3 system for $8000k and bought a 192 converter for $2200... but now I'm not so sure I want to use ProTools - I'm a Nuendo/Cubase SX guy.... the thoughts of going to ProTools depresses me on a software basis.

My system as it stands is an AMD 4200 S939 with 2 gb Corsair RAM and various hard drives. I have 2 UADs with investment in plugins that I love - plus a lot of fond other plugins. I run Cubase SX as my editing/mixing weapon of choice even over Nuendo

I have a RADAR 24 with classic IO and I find myself using it as an AD converter these days
I currently mix through a 32 ADAT out frontier dakota to a Yamaha 02R with some outboard and my clients are very happy with what I give them!

These days the 96khz snobbery has set in with portential high class clients. I also find myself spending a lot of time consolidating and transferring files to and from Pro Tools sessions. I've lost a few contracts to other studios because I dont have ProTools and the music had to be in that for whatever reason - and then theres the stigma - 'PRO' tools coupled with the fact that half of the bands I get coming through the door have a cracked version of Cubase or Nuendo on their home computers - all leads to embarrasment more than anything.

What would you do?! What would you build. How can I streamline my work process between PT and Nuendo.

Should I simply have both in my studio - thats an expensive business but the PT rig is coming to me at a good price

I HATE Pro Tools software. Feels archaic in function compared to Cubase Nuendo to me. I've used both

I need to read before I type. Would it be at all possible to wire an elaborate patch bay and run both systems through the same consoles? Or, is this already what you are doing. I'm, kinda sorry I even posted any response to this. Though I feel your pain. I could only dream of having your setup and your "problem".

You may want to do what I did: Get an imac, add an M-Audio device that comes with PT LE, and you're set. You can work on the software of your choice when you need to, and you can have the PT system for those who insist on it. Sometimes that may be all you need to calm down your PT-snob clients.

I don't know the market you're in, or how much of your work will depend on having PT's to survive. If that's truly the case, I feel bad for you, but I understand. I use Sequoia (PC) and would never use anything else for critical mixing/editing/mastering, but I now have some movie score clients as well, and they're so paranoid and narrowminded that they won't discuss anyting else with me: It's PTs sessions, or nothing else. No problem; we can track with that, let them send us their sessions, and export it all for them in AIFF files.

What you're dealing with - with these PTs snobs - is ignorance, fear, and a lackof understanding that PTs is simply one way of getting the job done. Admittedly, it's one of the easiest and most-requested packages, but it's certainly not the only one, and many who work in more than one platform will tell you it's certainly not the best sounding when it comes to mixdown. It has a few other limitations as well.

I just built a computer with an asus m2n-sli deluxe motherboard, amd athlon 64 x2 5600, 2g Ram, 80g sata for porgrams, 250g stata for data. I run Nuendo and use an aurora 16 with an aes16 card. for the price, it is way worth it. Just the difference of this and a macpro, less than half. PT coverters are good (192). the 002, don't even waste your money, might as well go with some motu stuff. The 192 stuff, apogee and lynx are very comparable to the price and seem to be making a better impression on "pro" studios. do some research. I know of engineers that prefer nuendo over pt for editing but require to have pt hd because it's "industry standard".